THAI BEEF SALAD.- Once again, a wonderful thing!

THAI BEEF SALAD.-  A wonderful dish full of flavor that will delight your family!

Lovely meat, veggies and a zesty dressing is amazing!

This is one of our favorite meals, anytime, any weather!!

To make this you will need:

DRESSING

• ▢1/2 tsp birds eye or Thai Chilli, I use Serrano, seeded finely sliced
• ▢1 finely minced garlic 
• ▢1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro/coriander stems
• ▢2 1/4 tsp white sugar
• ▢2 tbsp fish sauce
• ▢3 tbsp lime juice
• ▢1 tbsp oil
• ▢1 small pinch cooking / kosher salt

SALAD

• ▢7 – 8 oz / 200 – 250 g good quality beef steak – sirloin, room temp
• ▢1 tbsp oil 
• ▢1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
• ▢2 heaped cups mixed lettuce leaves
• ▢10 cherry tomatoes, halved
• ▢1/4 small red onion, very finely sliced
• ▢1/2 cucumber (optional deseed), cut in small pieces
• ▢1/4 cup cilantro/coriander leaves, lightly packed
• ▢1/4 cup mint leaves, lightly packed

GARNISH

• ▢1/4 cup finely chopped peanuts, roasted unsalted
• ▢Extra cilantro/coriander and mint leaves

Instructions

DRESSING:

• Place the birds eye chili, garlic, cilantro stems and a small pinch of salt into a mortar and pestle. Grind until a smooth paste forms.
• Add the remaining Dressing ingredients. Adjust sugar, lime juice and fish sauce to taste. Set aside.
• Alternative: Finely mince garlic, coriander and chilli. Use side of knife to smear into paste on cutting board, then shake in jar with remaining ingredients.

BEEF:

• Preheat a skillet over high heat until screaming hot and smoking.
• Drizzle the beef with 1/2 tbsp of oil on both sides, then sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the beef to your liking
• Cook times: for steak 2cm / 4/5” thick, 2 min on each side for medium rare (until internal temp is 52°C/125°F) OR 2 1/2 min each side for medium (internal temp 57°C/135°F).
• Remove the beef from the skillet onto a plate. Loosely tent with foil and set aside for 10 minutes to rest.

SALAD:

• Place lettuce in a bowl, drizzle with 1 tbsp Dressing and toss.
• Slice the beef thinly against the grain (Note 2) and place in a bowl with the remaining Salad ingredients. Dress with most remaining Dressing and toss gently.
• Pile dressed lettuce onto plate(s), pile over beef and other salad ingredients.
• Sprinkle with peanuts and garnish with extra cilantro/coriander and mint leaves if using, drizzle with remaining Dressing. Serve immediately!